What makes the Tornjak Unique?
A typical adult Tornjak is very calm, peaceful, at first sight an indifferent animal, but when the situation demands it, it is a vigilant and very alert watchdog. The character of Tornjak is equal to the temperament, they are not nervous and not aggressive in general, they are very tough not too demanding sturdy dogs. With their human family they are very emotional.
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Is the Tornjak Right For You?
Tornjak protects the flock from any kind of predators, and is regarded with good hearing, sight and nose. He is strong, agile and fast when needed. Sensitive body parts are secured with thicker skin and hair. No change in surrounding goes unnoticed, and tornjak will stop playing, resting or eating in a second to check what is going on and to react in the proper manner. On his territory, tornjak often barks, especially at night when everything is even more suspicious. Objects, persons or animal he presumes intruders, tornjak faces with enemy attitude and sharpness that can vary from dog to dog, and depends on a situation.
In 5 Words
- Persistent
- Vigilant
- Calm
- Peaceful
- Alert
Characteristics
Learn About the Tornjak
Description
General Description
The Tornjak is a large and powerful dog, well-proportioned and agile. The shape of the body is almost square. The bone is not light, but nevertheless not heavy nor coarse. His coat is long and thick. The body of this dog is strong and well built, with harmonious and dignified movements. The hair is long and thick and adequately protects the body against bad weather conditions. The tail is shaggy, kept high like a flag. The Tornjak has a clear, self-confident, serious and calm look to it. In general, the Tornjak is a long-coated dog with short hair over the face and legs. The topcoat is long, thick, coarse and straight. It is especially long on the upper part of the croup, over the shoulders and the back can be slightly wavy. On the muzzle and the forehead, up to the imaginary line connecting the ears, over the ears and on the front parts of legs and feet it is short. It is especially abundant around the neck (mane), dense and long over the upper thighs (breeches). It forms feathers along the forearms. With well-coated dogs it is also especially abundant on the rear of hind pasterns. The tail is richly coated with very long hair. Winter undercoat is long, very thick and of a nice woolly texture. Hair is thick and dense and should not part along the back. As a rule the Tornjak is parti-colored with markings of various solid colors. Usually the dominant ground color is white. There may be dogs with a black mantle and with white markings most often found around the neck, over the head and along the legs. There may also be almost-white dogs with only small markings.
Short History of the Tornjak
The Tornjak originated from the areas of Bosnia, Herzegovina and Croatia and has existed in those areas for the past thousand years. The Tornjak was registered under the name Kanis montanus which translates to mountain dog, but the local people gave it the name Tornjak (tor: enclosure for sheep and cattle). The Tornjak was registered as autochthonous breed on May 9, 1981 with the name “Bosnian-Herzegovinian sheepdog – Tornjak.” According to research, the Tornjak is most likely the descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff or from where the today’s Iran is. The environment has created a healthy and strong dog, with modest needs for food and shelter, and a great watchdog.
Temperament
The Tornjak is a calm and peaceful breed by nature – he may be wary around strangers but is unlikely to be aggressive around other dogs or humans. This breed is a natural watchdog, so he has an alert and vigilant temperament without being nervous. The Tornjak is undemanding in terms of exercise but he is social and loves to spend time with other dogs and his family. This breed can be emotional with family, forming a strong bond and being very devoted to his owners.
Caring for Your Tornjak
General Health
The Tornjak is a healthy breed in general, though too much protein in the diet has been known to cause certain health problems, especially with the coat. It is also worth noting that climbing stairs and other forms of strenuous exercise should be avoided during the first 6 months of age to avoid joint problems and the development of hip dysplasia.
Grooming & Bathing
Regular brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your tornjak clean. Check for ticks and fleas every day during warm weather. Most tornjaks don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the tornjak’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to soap residue.
Exercise & Training
The Tornjak is not very demanding in terms of exercise – he will do well with a long daily walk and plenty of play time, especially with other dogs. The Tornjak is most commonly used for herding and protecting livestock, so he can be trained for either of these purposes. This breed is intelligent and decisive so a firm and consistent hand in training is recommended to keep the dog from becoming willful. Tornjaks are quick to learn and they do not forget things quickly, so you are only likely to need a few repetitions when training.
Tornjak Picture Gallery
